Colchester Knife Amnesty Gets Weapons Off The Streets
The knife amnesty bins in Colchester and Clacton continue to play a key part in helping to take weapons off the streets of north Essex.
The initiatives were launched on January 28, 2015. In the five months since, 493 weapons have been deposited in the Colchester amnesty bin. In the 12 days since the Tendring knife amnesty bin was emptied of over 300 knives, another 76 knives have been collected.
This is testament to close working between Only Cowards Carry, Essex Police, local councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, who has helped fund the work of the charity.
Caroline Shearer of Only Cowards Carry said: ‘We would like to thank the people of Colchester for being so aware and proactive, getting these knives and weapons off our streets, helping to create a safer community. ‘We urge people to continue to use the bins to get rid of knives and any bladed instrument safely. We would like to thank Essex Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex for their hard work and continued support.’
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “The photos show that weapons which can cause the most serious harm are being taken off our streets. I applaud the Only Cowards Carry team, British Ironworks who have provided the bins free of charge, Essex Police and local councils for working together on this important initiative.
“I also thank everyone – be they a young person, a concerned parent or a friend – who has had the courage and integrity to take such weapons to the amnesty bins so they can no longer cause harm.”
ACC Matt Horne said: “Knife amnesty bins have taken more than 850 lethal weapons off Essex streets, making a safe county safer and reducing the risk of people, particularly the young and vulnerable, coming to harm or harming others. For most of us, the chances of being the victim of knife crime are exceptionally low at one crime per 3,000 people in the county. However even one victim is too many and just by carrying a knife a person risks getting caught, being put before a court and sent to prison for up to four years as well as causing serious injury or death. We will also continue to work on initiatives with our partners to help people understand that carrying a knife is not the answer to any problem.”
Natasha Potter of Only Cowards Carry added: ‘We have had a great response and support for the Knife Amnesty so far with further knife bins will be placed to cover all districts of Essex.’
The charity also placed knife amnesty bins in Chelmsford and Braintree on June 17, 2015.
Further projects are planned for Southend, Basildon and other districts of Essex.
